PANJIM: Against the backdrop of the festive season kicking off and various events taking place, the Bombay High court (HC) has issued directives for the efficient implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in this regard.
The HC said that a dedicated and 24/7 telephone line bearing number 112 shall be maintained to receive noise pollution complaints.
A record of such complaints shall be maintained by the control room operating the said helpline.
“Upon receipt of such complaints, the control room shall forward the complaint to the police station having jurisdiction over the area where there is alleged noise pollution. The police shall immediately carry out inspection if the allegation is found to be correct, appropriate steps are required to be taken to stop such noise pollution, register FIR and investigate and proceed against the violators in accordance with law,” it said.
The HC added that the police shall also act in terms of clause 4 as stated aforesaid, in case any violations are reported by the local intelligence bureau, beat staff, sub-division night duty officers, robot and robin, noise monitoring committees or any NGOs, or any other persons.
“All cases of violations shall be reported to the District Magistrate who shall take action in terms of Rule 8 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and the provisions of Environment Protection Act and Rules made thereunder. The District Magistrate thereafter shall take action against the violators by following the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 and the provisions of Environment Protection Act and Rules made thereunder,” it added.
Besides this, the following action/steps are to be taken up by the various authorities/committees.
This includes about how continuous night patrolling to ensure by local intelligence bureau, beat staff, subdivision night duty officers is to be maintained to ensure no violation of noise pollution laws, particularly in the coastal areas.
The HC has directed that patrolling by mobile vans and motorcycles (robot and robin) be maintained during the night time.
